READING: Leviticus 1:1-6:7, Matthew 26:26-56
I suspect it’s easy to commit to follow God fully when the heat of opposition is not rising around you. In some ways, that’s where we find the disciples in today’s New Testament reading. Jesus had warned them they would all fall away when the Shepherd would be struck, but none of that had happened yet. So, Peter was brazen and confident enough to declare that he would follow Jesus to death even if no one else did. All the other disciples, too, made the same affirmation to Jesus.
Then, betraying Judas and a chaotic crowd arrived. They arrested Jesus.
Peter first defended his Lord, but eventually all the disciples “deserted him and ran away” (Matt 26:56). They fled when the pressure increased; they did precisely what they said they would not do. It’s apparently not as easy to follow God in the face of opposition as it is before the persecution arises. Then, only the loving, undying grace of Jesus would draw the disciples back to Him after His resurrection.
I don’t know what we’ll face in North America in the years to come, but I do know this: only through His power and grace will we serve Him fully regardless of the cost.
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to be faithful no matter what I face.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Pray today for believers around the world who face arrest for their faithfulness.
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 6:8-8:36, Matthew 26:57-75